Geoffrey's Birthday Card

This is the card I made for my youngest son's 14th birthday. Of course, I made it ON his birthday, being the good little procrastinator that I am, lol! Come to think of it, I think I used the same set for Dakota's card this year. Uh oh, I better start mixing it up better! I made this during our All-Day Stampin Fun event on May 1st. And we did have fun! I did learn one thing though. I will do this at MY house next time so I don't have to haul all my stuff a few miles away for everyone to use. My stamping space is in the great room upstairs, which I kindly share with the rest of the family, lol... Ok, now back to the card!

• Stamps: Starring You, Sporting
• Paper: Real Red, Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip
• Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
• Other: Corner Rounder , Star, 1-3/8" circle, and 1-1/2" Circle punches, Signo white gel pen, Stampin Dimensionals, paper piercer and mat pack

Stamp Club Thursday!

This is the page we will be making on Thursday. Isn't it great! I love the rolling hills and the glitter on the headlights (thanks Janet for the suggestion!) This page uses one of the stamps sets that qualifies for a free package of  Designer Brads! The other set is just awesome, so really need to buy that without any added incentives ;)

• Stamps: Sentimental Journey, Pedaling Past
• Paper: Sage Shadow, retired Christmas DSP-don't remember the name
• Ink: Sage Shadow, Soft Suede
• Other: Paper Snips, Signo white gel pen, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, sponge, Stampin Dimensionals

I just had to throw a close up of the car in here. I used the Rock and Roll technique on this little car to try to make it match the Shabby Chic feel of this page.

This is the 3D project we will be making. I featured this on my Blog Hop, and now you will all get to make your very own!

• Stamps: Motorcycle, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded BG
• Paper: Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Naturals White
• Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
• Other: Signo white gel pen, Paper Snips, 1-3/4" circle and Tab punches, Sticky Strip, Mini glue dots, Square Lattice embossing folder and Box #2 die with Big Shot, Crop-A-Dile, eyelets

More details on the Biker Babe in Training and the May Promo

My scrapbook page seemed to be the favorite project for my Blog Hop entry! I am so glad everyone else loved it as much as I do :) I thought you might like a closer look at the details, so here you go!

Here is part 1

And part 2 of the page title.

You can actually read the journaling here too.
I am turning over a new leaf in the last few months. I WILL use my embellishments before they retire, I WILL NOT hoard them forever, lol! OK, the Real Red Corduroy buttons are not available anymore as of this weekend when the Occasions Mini ended, but in my defense, I did make this page before they retired ;) I love how the Circle Designer brads go with the wheels theme.
And I mentioned that there is a special this month, well here is the list of qualifying stamp sets that will earn you some of these great brads!

Stamp sets

Page	Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
81	Extreme Elements	115181	$26.95	---	---
119	Framed with Love**	114389	$27.95	---	---
128	Certified**	113706	$27.95	---	---
129	Circle Circus	115778	$28.95	---	---
12*	Elements of Style	118611	$27.95	120045	$19.95
13*	Mementos	119910	$27.95	120105	$19.95
13*	Elements de style	119900	$27.95	120099	$19.95
14*	Rough Type	118659	$26.95	120072	$18.95
22*	Sentimental Journey	118513	$23.95	120075	$17.95
25*	First Day	118521	$23.95	120051	$17.95
25*	Camino a la Escuela	120152	$23.95	120154	$17.95

*From Summer Mini Catalog
**Last Chance stamp set!

And these are the brads you can earn:

 Designer brads

Page	Description	Item	Retail Price	Price with Qualifying Purchase
179	Flower Designer brads	112579	$5.95	FREE
179	Filigree Designer brads	112577	$5.95	FREE
179	Circle Designer brads	112571	$5.95	FREE
179	Star Designer brads	112572	$5.95	FREE

Don't miss out on this deal, go right on over to my demo website and order now ;)

April Stamp Club Projects

Ok, you caught me slacking again! I haven't posted the card and the 3D projects we made last month yet, so here they are!

This is the card we made, although the designer paper is different. I ran out of Razzleberry Lemonade paper when I had to make extra cards after the club meeting, so this is the retired Juntos Designer Series paper from the 2008-09 Spanish SU Idea Book & Catalog. This flower pot card idea can be found all over the crafting sites and is really easy to make. Start with a 3 1/2" x 9" card base scored at 5 1/2" and 2" and go from there! I used the paper cutter to make the tapered sides by lining up the top corner under the pot lip in the cutting groove and the bottom corner on the 1/2" line to the right of the blade. I applied the DSP first and cut through all the layers at once, then flipped the top layers up holding it in place, and cutting a second time to get through the last layer.
The leaves are made by taking a long strip of cardstock 3/4"-1" wide, scoring down the middle and running it at an angle through the paper crimper. While it is still folded, cut out your leaf shapes. Presto! Instant textured leaf!

 The note card base is 2-7/16" x 4", the next layer is 2-1/8" x 3-3/4". The important thing to remember when attaching the flowers is to make sure it is no more than 5-1/2" tall so that the card will still fit in an envelope :)

• Stamps: Messages for Mom
• Paper: Dusty Durango, Naturals White, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, and Patterned Paper (Juntos Designer Series paper, Razzleberry Lemonade paperfor the ones made at club)
• Ink: Soft Suede
• Other: Blossom Party die with Big Shot, paper crimper, paper cutter with scoring blade, taffeta ribbon, mini glue dots, Scallop Edge punch

 And this is the Matchbox that we made for holding a little something for Mom. MAke sure you stamp your greeting before you fold your box up ;) The flower is created by taking 3 circles punched out of cardstock, roughing up until the paper starts to seperate into 2 layers, then peeling apart. Do this with all 3 circles. Pile on top of each other with the fuzzy sides all up, place on the mat pack foam pad, pierce through center. Then push a brad through the center and open the prongs on the back. Now pull each layer up individually around thr brad, scrunching up tight. Open back up until it looks like a flower. You can then color the edges of the petals with a marker.

• Stamps: Tres' Chic BG, Messages for Mom
• Paper: Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral
• Ink: Blush Blossom, Soft Suede
• Other: 1-1/4" Circle Punch, paper piercer with mat pack, brad, glue dots, Matchbox die with Big Shot, Sticky Strip, bone folder

Stampin Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Stampin Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop! There are 23 stops on this hop, each one featuring a different stamp set or product from the Summer Mini which starts on May 1st! If you joined at the beginning of the hop, or somewhere in between, you will have arrived here from Deb Burgin's blog where she featured All a Flutter. Didn't she do a beautiful job?!

I will be showing you several things I have done with Motorcycle. Now, you may ask how I could come up with a variety of projects using a single stamp. I have to tell you that it was not as hard as you may think because this stamp coordinates so well with so many of our sets! This stamp can represent so many things like: Freedom, Strength, Journeys, Achievement, Moving Forward, Dreams, Rebel, Leadership, Individualism .... I could go on and on! And I live in a house full of testosterone, lol! Even my daughter and I are tomboys...
So here is my first group of projects:

I found I couldn't stop with just one card! I had to restrain myself from doing more for the blog hop, but alas, I am only allowed 3 photos in this post, lol!
Ok, so starting at the top, I made a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 card for Father's Day focusing on Making a Difference. All the good dad's do!

• Stamps: Motorcycle, Rough Type, Happy Grad, Sentimental Journey, Sanded BG
• Paper: Ruby Red, Kraft, Summer Sun
• Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Summer Sun, Real Red
• Other: Distressing tool from Cutter Kit, Signo white gel pen, Corner Rounder punch, Paper Piercer with Mat Pack, Real Red brads, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button, Stampin Dimensionals

Then clockwise around next is a 4x4 square card that could be used for anything. I have been thinking birthday, but I left the inside blank for now.

• Stamps: Motorcycle, Sentimental Journey, Sanded BG
• Paper: Brilliant Blue, Dusty Durango, Kraft
• Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Brilliant Blue, Dusty Durango
• Other: Corner Rounder punch, Signo white gel pen, Silver brads, Paper Piercer with Mat Pack, Stampin Dimensionals

And the last card is a 3x6 money holder card for graduation. There is a folded up flap with corners rounded, the solid Chocolate Chip outline with white gel pen faux stitching inside that line, and Happy Graduation stamped in Choc Chip on the flap. I used the faux suede technique on the little banners on the card front.

•  Stamps: Motorcycle, Pedaling Past, Happy Grad
• Paper: Creamy Caramel, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Naturals Ivory
• Ink: Chocolate Chip 
• Other: Corner Rounder punch, Paper Snips, Paper Piercer with Mat Pack, Gold Brads, Mini Glue Dots, scoring blade on paper cutter, Distressing tool from the Cutter Kit

This is a 12x12 page I did that was a nebulous idea in my head ever since I saw the Motorcycle and Pedaling Past sets in the Mini! Kind of representing a coming of age, or progressing through the stages of life represented by the kind of bike you would ride. This page only touches on that theme, but I am sure I will get more use out of that thought, lol! The full sheet of card stock used for the background has the Motorcycle image stamped all over it, then it is spritzed with the new Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. It gives a really intense bronze like coverage so you really need to hold it a ways away from your page. I almost started over because it was so heavy, but I decided to just go with it. I also spritzed the title blocks only a little lighter this time!

• Stamps: Motorcycle, Pedaling Past, Rough Type
• Paper: Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Bermuda Bay
• Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Bermuda Bay
• Other: Distressing tool from the Cutter Kit, Paper Piercer with Mat Pack, Signo white gel pen, Circle Designer Brads, Real Red Brads, Real Red Corduroy Buttons, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, crochet thread, Stampin Dimensionals, Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon

And did you notice the COOL brads! You can get them free in the month of MAY by purchasing a qualifying scrapbooking stamp set! How awesome is that?! I love to use these Designer brad in scrapbooking, they really add a punch of fun.

And my last 2 projects! See, I told you I had to stop myself from doing more stuff for the blog hop! I'll save the rest for later, lol...
On the right I have a little gift box using the Box #2 die and the round Sweet Treat Cups! How darn cute is that I ask you?! I made a pocket inside the box with a matching 1-3/4" circle to hold the tag, which in turn holds the M&M's in but gives easy access to them! I got the idea for the pocket with a tag from Kim, who is #16 on this Blog Hop. Putting it on a box was all me ;) I also used the new Square Lattice embossing folder, rubbed some Old Olive ink on it , then rubbed some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint over that to give it a bit of a metallic feel.

• Stamps: Motorcycle, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded BG
• Paper: Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Naturals White
• Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
• Other: Signo white gel pen, Paper Snips, 1-3/4" circle and Tab punches, Sticky Strip, Mini glue dots, Square Lattice embossing folder and Box #2 die with Big Shot, Crop-A-Dile, Antique Brass eyelets

And last but not least, a 6x6 scrapbook page. I wanted to convey the feelings a road trip inspires and I really wanted a picture of someone's feet on the dashboard with a view of the open road and gorgeous fall foliage with a backdrop of the bluffs. Oh well, I got everything but the feet! I used the Motorcycle image as a background again, which you can see much better in real life. I just freehand cut the paper at the bottom to simulate the bluffs with paper from the new DSP in the Summer Mini. And the word Freedom is just my handwriting on some more faux sueded paper.

• Stamps: Motorcycle, Rough Type
• Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Travel  Journal Designer Series Papter
• Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip marker
• Other: Paper Snips, Paper Piercer with Mat Pack, Circle Designer Brad, Fire (orange) Circle Rhinestone Brad, Fresh Favorites II blue button, Mini Glue dots, Signo white gel pen

That is the end of my submissions for this Blog Hop and the end of our Blog Hop! I hope you found TONS of ideas and a new loooong wish list for the new Summer Mini  ;)

If you joined us part way through, I invite you to continue on with the first Blog on our Hop, Allison Orhan with her Sweet Impressions blog featuring the new Builder Wheel, Flowers!

You can also get back to the main posting for this Blog Hop here and go to whichever stop you would like.
Happy Stampin!

Teaser for Blog Hop tomorrow!

I have a little teaser, or appetizer if you will, for the Blog Hop I am participating in tomorrow (Friday April 30-Sunday May 1). I know you all can't wait to see all the amazing new goodies that will be available in the Summer Mini starting May 1st. I know I am loving the new stuff, as per usual, of course! There is a reason I became a dealer, um, I mean demo, lol! I'm as addicted to this stuff as the rest of you ;) 

So here is a little peek at one of the projects I made for the Blog Hop.

I made 6 projects for this Hop, so be sure to come back and see them all. I hope we knock your socks off with the 23 amazing stops on this Blog Hop!
Oh, and by the way, in case you missed it, there's a Blog Hop tomorrow that you are going to want to check out ;)

Hope to see you there!

My First Rag Bag Purse

This is not a card, can you tell, lol! I made this with our Scallop Square die and the Big Shot with some really fun fabrics. It was not necessarily a good idea for me to enter the fabric section of the craft store again after so many yeasr avoiding it for the stamp and scrapbooking section! I fell in love with so much fabric, we won't talk about how much money I spent while I was there. Let's just say that I should make everyone I know a cute purse like this one, lol....
This purse was really easy to make, and I am by far not the first person to make one. I have seen the idea in so many places, I can't give credit to any one person. I did make it with an outside pocket on each end for keys and a cell phone. Next time I think I will put some pockets on the inside too. The cute little grommet on the front closure is one of the Designer Hardware grommets you can still get on the clearance rack on my Demo website (see the icon for SHOP NOW on the right side bar).
Have you made a Rag Bag purse? Leave a comment and link to yours! I would love to see them!